Beazley Sponsorship Launch

18th January 2011

18th January 2011
Beazley, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer, has entered into a five year partnership with British Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic sport. Beazley will be the principal sponsor – as well as the official insurer - of British Fencing until the end of 2015, building a lasting legacy in the sport.

Over the next five years Beazley’s £1million sponsorship will increase British Fencing’s current level of funding by 32%, providing a real impetus for medal hopes in 2012. With Beazley’s support, British Fencing is aiming to double the number of British fencers provided with the financial assistance they require to dedicate themselves to fulltime professional training.

Britain’s fencers are already proving their intent on the international stage, with the men’s foil team earning a bronze medal at the European Championships in Leipzig in July 2010. This was the first major international medal for the quartet comprising Laurence Halsted, Ed Jeffries, Richard Kruse and Marcus Mepstead. Kruse also won individual bronze in the men's foil.

“Fencing in Britain is an unsung success story,” said Piers Martin, Chief Executive of British Fencing. “In the past ten years we have increased participation, doubled our membership and with a small amount of funding our top fencers have leapt up the world rankings, winning medals at both individual and team levels. However our constrained finances have meant agonising budget decisions over which athletes and activities we can and can’t support. Beazley’s generosity will make an enormous difference to the sport in this country.”

Andrew Horton, Beazley Chief Executive said: “Fencing combines discipline, agility and precision – all qualities we admire at Beazley. It is also a sport to which we can make a meaningful contribution, both at the highest competitive level and through fencing schools throughout the country.”

The £1m investment will be split across:
Great Britain teams (including Paralympic hopefuls) for the purposes of supporting athletes, their training, competition attendance and equipment.
The British Fencing National Academy, which is the training base for potential Olympians, including training venue hire, equipment, and travel to international competitions.
Increasing grassroots participation and introducing people of all ages to the sport.
British Fencing run events, including World Cup events, which will help build a world class events programme in Britain and develop our athletes.
Marketing and promotion of the sport - taking the sport to more people, building interest and participation.

Notes to editors:
In 2009 British Fencing received a 59 per cent reduction in funding from UK Sport, for the Olympic cycle 2009 – 2013. Beazley’s support – amounting in total to £1million - will run from the beginning of 2011 until the end of 2015.

Only four of the 26 Olympic sports receive less public funding than fencing.

Fencing is one of only four sports that have been featured in every modern Olympic Games, beginning in 1896.

About Beazley
Beazley plc (BEZ.L), is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia. Beazley manages five Lloyd’s syndicates and, in 2009, underwrote gross premiums worldwide of £1,115.5 million. All Lloyd’s syndicates are rated A by A.M. Best.
Beazley’s underwriters in the United States focus on writing a range of specialist insurance products. In the admitted market, coverage is provided by Beazley Insurance Company, Inc., an A.M. Best A rated carrier licensed in all 50 states. In the surplus lines market, coverage is provided by the Beazley syndicates at Lloyd’s.

Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, which include professional indemnity, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.
For more information please go to: www.beazley.com